Andrew Mason's mock draft, Version 2.0
Pick by pick, here are Andrew Mason's projected draft picks for the first round.
1 / 32
- TAMPA BAY -- QB Jameis Winston, Florida State All signs point to the Bucs rolling the dice on the talented -- but troubled -- Winston.
2 / 32
- TENNESSEE -- QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon An after-the-pick trade would come as no surprise, but if the Titans stand pat, Mariota's potential is greater than that of 2014 pick Zach Mettenberger.
3 / 32
- JACKSONVILLE -- OLB/DE Dante Fowler, Florida Gus Bradley hasn't had a true game-changing defensive weapon since taking the Jaguars' reins in 2013. Fowler changes that in a big way.
4 / 32
- OAKLAND -- WR Amari Cooper, Alabama The Raiders have plenty of tempting options here, but Derek Carr needs targets, and free-agent pickup Michael Crabtree is not enough.
5 / 32
- WASHINGTON -- DL Leonard Williams, USC This would represent a massive win for a club that desperately needs it.
6 / 32
- N.Y. JETS -- OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson A potential game-changing pass rusher will help a defense in transition.
7 / 32
- CHICAGO -- NT Danny Shelton, Washington John Fox can start the Bears' defensive rebuilding project from the inside out.
8 / 32
- ATLANTA -- OLB Alvin "Bud" Dupree, KentuckyThe issues with Shane Ray and Randy Gregory might make Dupree a lot of money.
9 / 32
- N.Y. GIANTS -- OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa Scherff would be the kind of steady, unglamorous-but-effective pick that helped the Giants make three Super Bowl appearances this century.
10 / 32
- ST. LOUIS -- OT Andrus Peat, Stanford Receiver is a tempting option, but the Rams can find pass catchers later in the draft, and protecting Nick Foles in a division stacked with pressure defenses must be the priority.
11 / 32
- MINNESOTA -- CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State Wide receiver is a possibility here -- as with the Raiders and Michael Crabtree, a free-agent pickup doesn't solve all the issues. But Wallace projects as a No. 1, so the Vikings can find a No. 2 receiver later in this deep class. Waynes fills an immediate need and the value is right.
12 / 32
- CLEVELAND -- WR Kevin White, West Virginia If the Browns don't move up for Mariota, they can still give Josh McCown -- or Johnny Manziel, or another QB TBD -- a potentially elite weapon.
13 / 32
- NEW ORLEANS -- OLB Shane Ray, Missouri It only takes one team to love you. Some might be scared off by Ray's poor decision-making so close to the draft, but his background isn't pockmarked with issues, and this could be an isolated incident.
14 / 32
- MIAMI -- WR DeVante Parker, Louisville He shook off injury and proved he wasn't a product of Teddy Bridgewater's proficiency last season.
15 / 32
- SAN FRANCISCO -- DL Arik Armstead, OregonThe upside is massive for Armstead, a potentially elite inside rusher in the 3-4 who just needs to channel his athleticism and pass-rush moves.
16 / 32
- HOUSTON -- RB Todd Gurley, GeorgiaGurley doesn't have to rush back as long as Arian Foster stays healthy.
17 / 32
- SAN DIEGO -- OT Ereck Flowers, Miami (Fla.)This might force Orlando Franklin to stay inside, but it would still help the Chargers complete a three-year transformation of their offensive line.
18 / 32
- KANSAS CITY -- WR Breshad Perriman, Central Florida He has the skill set to be an ideal stretch-the-field complement to Jeremy Maclin.
19 / 32
- CLEVELAND (FROM BUFFALO) -- DT Malcom Brown, Texas La'el Collins was previously the pick here, but with Baton Rouge (La.) authorities anxious to speak to him regarding the murder of a pregnant woman, his stock is likely to tumble. Cleveland has needs on both lines, so Brown lines up nicely for them.
20 / 32
- PHILADELPHIA -- S Landon Collins, Alabama The reshuffling of the Eagles' roster continues, and getting the draft's best safety -- by a wide margin -- helps that process.
21 / 32
- CINCINNATI -- OLB Randy Gregory, Nebraska This is a fit of need and historical trend. The Bengals will gamble on players with off-field concerns when the risk/reward ratio is right.
22 / 32
- PITTSBURGH -- CB Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest Secondary is a pressing need, and this is a good draft for the Steelers to rebuild their cornerback corps.
23 / 32
- DETROIT -- DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State Adding Haloti Ngata helps, but the Lions need an infusion of talent up front to replace Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. The 336-pound Goldman can help right away.
24 / 32
- ARIZONA -- RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin A good fit for a team that believes it is one piece away from a championship.
25 / 32
- CAROLINA -- OT D.J. Humphries, Florida This is the draft in which the Panthers must find long-term answers up front.
26 / 32
- BALTIMORE -- WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State He doesn't need to be the No. 1 target with Steve Smith Sr. still around, and he can grow into his role.
27 / 32
- DALLAS -- CB Marcus Peters, Washington Like a Jedi, he must learn to control his emotions, and use his innate talent and instinct for good.
28 / 32
- DENVER -- ILB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State McKinney is a rare piece: a 3-4 inside linebacker big enough to take on blockers, but with the potential to become an every-down contributor with just a bit of work on his coverage.
29 / 32
- INDIANAPOLIS (FROM SEATTLE) -- C/G Cameron Erving, Florida State An immediate starter who could also be in play for the Broncos at No. 28, which would make him the first interior offensive lineman ever picked in the first round by a Kubiak/Dennison offense.
30 / 32
- GREEN BAY -- CB Jalen Collins, LSU He can provide an immediate boost in the nickel while he learns the technical aspects of playing cornerback at this level. Collins has plenty of room for growth after an up-and-down college career.
31 / 32
- NEW ORLEANS (FROM SEATTLE) -- WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri If Erving drops here, he'd be a perfect fit for the Saints, but Green-Beckham has plenty of potential if he can refine his game.
32 / 32
- NEW ENGLAND -- DE Preston Smith, Mississippi State The versatile Smith can line up all over the defensive line and could be even more effective if he can add five to 10 pounds to his 271-pound frame.
This Ad will close in 3
